Birthdays, the Feng Shui Way!

Recently, a long lost client-friend called and, over dinner, said he wanted to resolve his confusion on whether or not to celebrate his birthday this year. When asked why he was confused, he admitted that he collected all the feng shui press releases or handouts from Metro Manila's so-called feng shui experts, and one of them prescribed that he should throw a grand celebration on his birthday this year contrary to popular customs he was born and raised in as a Chinese as well as to the teachings in Xavier School!

According to him, a feng shui leaflet advised that since he was turning 59 years old, the feng shui prescription was to have a grand birthday party to ward off bad luck! It disturbed him since even his lolo, lolas, achaks (uncles) and achis (aunties) always advised never to celebrate a Chinese reckoned birthday with a 9 ending (such as 19, 29, and his own upcomig 59th birthday).

We both agreed that the practice is based on the belief that if one reaches his or her Chinese birth timeline ending in the number 9, or "keng" in Chinese, one has completed one life cycle (since the universe has nine planets, a concept that is the forerunner basis of the binary math system). Therefore, one is ready to go or die in that year.

The feng shui remedy is to bypass or pass over that year or time by not celebrating or ignoring the birthday! Another way is to celebrate twice (double celebration) before or after the particular year; in the case of my client-friend, at Chinese age 58 or 60. By the way, the Chinese age of a person is his western age plus one. Thus, in his case, he is 58 now but his Chinese age this year is approaching 59, come July!

We resolved that he should not celebrate his birthday this year and, instead, have a double celebration next year, apt and in time for his daughter's wedding too!

Such topic and feng shui issue is a constant concern among clients and feng shui followers globally, not only in the Philippines. Hopefully, with this anecdote, anyone interested to abide with traditions for good luck finds a helpful guide.

Kong hei birthdays everyone! Belatedly, presently, or in advance, just don't forget to make pa-canton! Or simply put, to treat friends and lovers with long-life birthday noodles! Cheers to your good health, long life and prosperity!